LORAIN, OH - On Tuesday November 17th, 2020 the Lorain Police Narcotics and Special Investigations Unit utilized the Lorain Police SWAT team to execute two search warrants simultaneously at 1231 West 24th Street and 1948 Long Avenue in Lorain.
The search warrants were the culmination of a three month investigation led by Detective Cielo Rodriguez into the narcotics trafficking activities of Eric Echols. Echols is accused of trafficking in narcotics from both locations, each being in close proximity to schools. The West 24th Street home is near Lorain High School and the Long Avenue home is near Hawthorne Elementary School. Echols was located and arrested at the West 24th Street residence on a warrant for trafficking in cocaine.
During the search of the West 24th Street home, a Glock handgun, approximately 30 grams of Cocaine, money believed to be drug proceeds, and items necessary to prepare and distribute narcotics were seized. Echols is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to his prior felony convictions. In 2012, Eric Echols was convicted of participating in a criminal gang stemming a Lorain Police investigation into the M.O.B. street gang which plagued the city with violence and operated mainly in the central/west side area of the city.
During the search of the Long Avenue home a small amount of Fentanyl and drug paraphernalia was located. Additionally, Cory Holt was located hiding in the basement of the Long Avenue home and arrested on a warrant for possession of drugs.
The investigation is ongoing and Echols and Holt could face additional charges at a later date.
The Lorain Police Narcotics Unit was assisted by the Lorain Police SWAT team, K-9 Unit, Patrol Unit, Lorain County Drug Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, and DEA.
The Lorain Police Narcotics Unit encourages anyone who suspects that drug activity is taking place in their neighborhood to contact their office at (440) 204-2108 or by submitting a tip via tip 411. Those wishing to provide information may remain anonymous.
Photos by the Lorain Police Department
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